News Summary
Newberry College celebrates its track and field athletes for their academic successes while mourning the loss of incoming student-athlete Mycheal Edwards-Wallace. Five athletes have been honored as Academic All-District® members for maintaining high GPAs, showcasing their dedication. Simultaneously, the college community grieves the untimely passing of Edwards-Wallace, a promising talent who excelled in football and was recognized for his achievements. This dual experience of celebration and mourning highlights the challenges and fragility of a student-athlete’s journey.
Newberry, South Carolina – Newberry College is celebrating the academic successes of its student-athletes while mourning the tragic loss of incoming football student-athlete Mycheal Edwards-Wallace, who was killed in an incident on Sunday night in Kingstree, South Carolina.
In an impressive display of academic accomplishment, five track and field athletes from Newberry College have been honored as members of the College Sports Communicators Academic All-District® Track and Cross Country Team. The athletes who achieved this recognition are Irma Watson-Perez, Andrea Pascual Rivera, ShaNadia Marshall, Drew Benson, and Addison O’Cain.
To qualify for Academic All-District honors, student-athletes must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.50 on a 4.0 scale and rank among the top-50 in their respective regions for a single event. This requirement underscores the dedication these students have shown both in athletics and academics.
All five honorees graduated this past May, with degrees in various disciplines. Watson-Perez completed her degree in Biology, Pascual Rivera received a degree in Psychology, and Marshall graduated with a degree in Exercise Science & Human Performance. Benson and O’Cain continue their academic journeys, with Benson pursuing a degree in Nursing and O’Cain studying Exercise Science.
Amidst the celebrations of academic success, Newberry College finds itself grieving the loss of Mycheal Edwards-Wallace. The 18-year-old was an offensive and defensive lineman at Kingstree High School, where he had a notable football career that culminated in him being recognized as a Class AA all-state selection by the South Carolina Football Coaches Association. He earned accolades such as all-area and all-region recognition during his senior year and also participated in the prestigious Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas, an all-star game renowned as the nation’s oldest high school football all-star event. His achievements in sports were complemented by being named Kingstree High School’s Male Athlete of the Year.
The loss of Edwards-Wallace has been felt deeply within the Newberry College community, with expressions of condolences highlighting the tragedy of a promising young life cut short. The head football coach at Newberry expressed sorrow over the incident, reflecting on Edwards-Wallace’s potential, character, and the bright future that was ahead of him. The college community extends its deepest condolences not only to Edwards-Wallace’s family and friends but also to his teammates who sought to honor his memory as they navigate this difficult time.
The college’s dual experience of celebrating academic achievement while mourning the loss of a cherished individual illustrates the highs and lows inherent in the life of a student-athlete. The recognition of the track and field athletes serves as a powerful reminder of the dedication required to balance sports with academic success, while the untimely passing of Edwards-Wallace emphasizes the fragility of life and the loss felt by many when potential is suddenly snuffed out.
In the wake of this tragic event, Newberry College continues to support its students, staff, and athletes while honoring the memory of Mycheal Edwards-Wallace through various means of acknowledgment and remembrance. As the community comes together to process these events, the spirit of both celebration and mourning solidifies the bond shared among all members of the Newberry family.
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Additional Resources
- Newberry Observer: Five Newberry College Track & Field Athletes Earn CSC Academic All-District Honors
- Wikipedia: Newberry College
- Newberry Observer: Newberry College Has 350 Wolves Named to 2024-25 SAC Commissioner’s Honor Roll
- Google Search: Newberry College athletics
- Newberry Observer: Newberry College Mourns the Loss of Incoming Football Student-Athlete
- Google Scholar: Newberry College
- Newberry Observer: Armendariz Promoted to Assistant Sports Performance Coach
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Newberry College
- Newberry Observer: Kade Faircloth Earns National, Regional Defensive Honors
- Google News: Newberry College athlete honors
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